Galaxy S7: Snapdragon Chipsets vs Exynos Chipsets

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Last week, we were fortunate enough to receive a Galaxy S7 Edge G935T based on the Snapdragon 820 chipset, and this week we get our first look into the Exynos variant, the Galaxy S7 G930FD. We like to look at all major phone releases across their many different models, as we know that there are differences in who wins what sockets in the different regional models.

Over the years Samsung has demonstrated that they will put the best device in a socket that they can. Even if Samsung designs and manufacturers a competitive device, they will not use theirs if it can be beat by an external supplier. Case in point, Samsung could have put their CMOS image sensors in the phone, but they chose Sony’s because Sony offers the best quality and price. If the Samsung CMOS image sensor had been better and more cost effective, it would have been employed. Samsung uses the best overall device they can, whenever they can. Let’s see what the differences are for the G935T and the G930FD.

We’ve only just received the G930FD, so our teardown will evolve over the coming days. Our first look inside the G930FD reveals some similarities and some differences.

Microphones

We see Knowles in both the G935T and the G930FD. Once these microphones are deprocessed we will know if the same die is used in both variants for the membrane and ASICs.

G935T Galaxy S7 Edge

G930FD Galaxy S7

Knowles S1636

Knowles S1601

Knowles S1638

Knowles S1552

Knowles S1636 & Knowles S1638

Audio Chip

We see Cirrus Logic CS47L91 Audio Codec in the G930FD. Instead of dual audio chip solution adopted in the G935T, the G930FD only used single audio chip solution. Chipworks thought that the Cirrus Logic CS47L91 Audio Codec may have enough DSP processing capability which does not need a second chip.

G935T Galaxy S7 Edge

G930FD Galaxy S7

Qualcomm WCD9335 Audio Codec

Cirrus Logic CS47L91 Audio Codec

DSP Group D4A1A (DBMD4) A/V Processor

Wi-Fi Module

The Murata module will contain a Broadcom Wi-Fi system-on-chip (SoC) and the Samsung module from the G930FD will contain a Broadcom Wi-Fi SoC.

G935T

G930FD

Murata KM5D18098 WiFi module

Samsung 0306S7 WiFi Module

Murata KM5D18098 & Samsung 0306S7 Wi-Fi

NFC Solution

Here again, we see a change of suppliers; in the G935T we see NXP being used, while in the G930FD we see the Samsung near field communication (NFC) solution employed. Chipworks first observed Samsung NFC controllers back in the middle of 2014.

G935T

G930FD

NXP 67T05

Samsung 81DGXS1 NFC

NXP NFC & Samsung NFC

Wireless Charging

Here is a case where the best solution for the wireless charging device was to use the IDT P9221S in both the G935T and the G930FD.

IDTP9221S from G935T & IDT P9221S from G930FD

Inertial Sensors

The 6 axis inertial sensor (accelerometer and gyroscope) solution for both the G935T and the G930FD is the STMicroelectronics LSM6DS3. As well the optical image stabilization sensor for both phone models is the STMicroelectronics K2G2IS gyroscope. That is two sockets where STM has 100% ownership.

G935T

G930FD

STMicroelectronics LSM6DS3

STMicroelectronics LSM6DS3

6-axis sensor from G935T & 6-axis sensor from G930FD

Pressure Sensor

Here we see that Samsung has opted for different suppliers again. The G935T used a Bosch pressure sensor while the G930FD uses a STMicroelectronics pressure sensor. That gives STMicroelectronics at least three of the sensor sockets in the Exynos variant of the Galaxy S7.

G935T Pressure Sensor & G930FD Pressure Sensor

As we dive deeper into the G930FD, we will update you on the rest of the similarities and differences. Obviously we will see the Samsung Exynos 8890 instead of the Snapdragon 820. I would also then expect to see the Samsung Shannon transceiver, Samsung power management ICs (PMICs) and other support chips. We will get into the details as we move through this model. Make sure you register so you can be advised of new updates to these and related Galaxy S7 blogs.